ERG and Eurasian Machinery launch pilot trolley-assist project at the Kachar mine

Eurasian Machinery, Kachary Ruda and ERG's Commercial Center have signed a memorandum for pilot industrial trials of trolley-assist technology — a rail-free, electrically powered haulage system — using a Hitachi mining dump truck with a capacity of roughly 221 tonnes.

The technology allows heavy haul trucks to connect to overhead power lines along set sections of a pit, cutting reliance on diesel fuel. Hitachi has already tested similar systems abroad, including at one of Zambia's largest mines, where fuel consumption dropped by up to 90%, engine lifespan increased, and equipment downtime fell.

Eurasian Machinery CEO Mehmet Kemal Çetinelli said the project is particularly advantageous for ERG, since the company generates its own electricity — reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices. He added that loaded trucks running on trolley power reach speeds 2.5 times higher than standard dump trucks, which could boost overall production volumes.

Yevgeniy Tenekov, deputy general director of ERG's Commercial Center, noted that the partnership with Hitachi and Eurasian Machinery dates back to 2007. The group currently operates more than 140 units of Eurasian Machinery equipment, supported by around 300 of the company's specialists on the ground.

The Kachar mine was chosen as the pilot site, as it hosts the bulk of the equipment fleet — 47 Japanese-made dump trucks that could eventually shift from diesel to electric power. The first phase alone is projected to cut fuel use by more than 20%, alongside reduced noise levels and emissions at the site.

Preparing the project is expected to take over a year, including construction of dedicated infrastructure at the mine. The parties will evaluate results by the end of next year before deciding whether to scale the technology more broadly.